WIP: elephant festival

So far, creating images for fabric has been quite straight-forward. Time consuming, yes... but relatively simple, thanks to emerging artist, Chelsea.

I realize that these images are technically small and I understand that they will not be as clear on fabric as they are on my computer. To improve, I must start with a file that has a higher resolution. For now, I will continue with what I have (I made these with Microsoft Windows Paint. This has been so much fun, I may consider getting a more advanced program.).

"Chelsea's elephant festival" - print 1

"Chelsea's elephant festival"- print 2

I think I will reformat the print below and shift every even numbered row over so that the elephants are not all in one column.

"Chelsea's elephant festival"- print 3

"Chelsea's elephant festival"- print 4

"Chelsea's elephant festival"- print 5

And now I must focus on some prints from Ryan's art.

WIP: reused-fabric bags

A couple of days ago, I posted about using fabric pieces to create something usable. So far, I've created a tote and a messenger bag from old jeans, an old tie, and some cotton pieces left over from making quilts.

One tie, one worn pair of jeans ... 

This is an enjoyable project. It is also a feel-good project. I am able to use things that likely end up - unnecessarily - in the landfill.

There are lots of places to donate used clothes, but there are so many pieces of used clothes, I have heard that there are warehouses full of them. The denim that I used in these bags is very soft and flexible from years of wear and laundering.

Tie bag side one

With a little time and some new thread, worn-out jeans and an old tie make for a handy bag. I left the "Made in Canada" tag on the tie (circa 1985) because it is now so rare that ties are still made in Canada.

Tie bag side two.

As much as I like the tie bag, I like the back pocket bag even more. The close-up below is of the work-in-progress; it is not yet lined.

Now fully lined, the bag is ready to go.

WIP: creating prints

Images below are included with permission from Chelsea and Ryan.

Even before I heard about Spoonflower, I've wanted to make my own very short run, affordable, professional-looking prints. Decades ago, I worked with a fabric designer who created some absolutely beautiful silk prints that were included in lines that I had the pleasure of naming.

Now that technology has made printing on fabric much easier and affordable, the only thing stopping me is.... what to print. I've been thinking about this for months, only to forget about it for a bit and then have this "what" serendipitous appear on the table in front of me. Literally. 

I was visiting with two wonderfully talented young ones, Chelsea and Ryan. They were each drawing gorgeous pictures. Some of those gorgeous pieces of art came home with me.

Unnamed - Chelsea 2015

I wonder if Elephant Festival" is an appropriate name for this first line of fabrics. I love elephants and find such creativity and beauty in the beautifully painted creatures of the Indian festivals.

This line will include the elephant image above as well as the below landscape.

Unnamed - Chelsea 2015

The second line will be more of a challenge. While Chelsea's drawings are specific, intricate, and detailed, Ryan's art (below) is more free-spirited and reactionary.

I think I have a couple of ideas about how to structure Ryan's work in a fabric design. I'll see how it goes. I love a challenge.

Untitled - Ryan 2015

Untitled - Ryan 2015

Untitled - Ryan 2015

Posting today to TN&TN's WIP Wednesday!

WIP: progress on my 373 cubic foot studio

I'm making progress on my "studio". I've rearranged. Again. It seems that this happens every time I introduce another batch of a-half-a-lifetime worth of "stuff" into my little space.

Rather than think of it as a cramped 46.6 square foot space, I prefer to consider it my 373 cubic foot place of serenity.

As I move and sort things, I come across bits and pieces that I've saved. (I know I am not alone in this habit; many fibre artists save beautiful bits.) In a world of throw-aways and planned-obsolescence, I do try to reuse (or rescue) what I can. Sometimes, though, I wonder if there is value in it. There is a calm to a cleanse of "stuff".

Distracted with the feeling that I must process some of these bits and with pieces salvaged from worn-out jeans, I started cutting. I can always use shopping bags. If I have too many, I can donate them to a low-cost grocery store downtown that caters to low-income folks. They can always use bags.

As I cut away, the foil lettering of my copy of Janet Hethorn and Connie Ulasewicz's "Sustainable Fashion" book sparkled in the sunshine, seemingly winking at me. It's a sign I'm doing the right thing.

This is a very philosophically organic project. There is no plan. The bag will grow with the nurturing of bits and pieces, this growth will determine the design. I'll simply fit together what I have on hand, reusing fabrics, buttons, and other findings to create something usable.

So far, I'm working on two bags. I won't get back to this project for a couple of days...

beginnings of an old-back-pocket bag

beginnings of an old tie bag